Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/114

102 

Ham. Safely stowed.

Ham. What noise? who calls on Hamlet?

O! here they come.

Ros. What have you done, my lord, with the dead

body?

Ham. Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.

Ros. Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence

And bear it to the chapel.

Ham. Do not believe it.

Ros. Believe what?

Ham. That I can keep your counsel and not

mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge!

what replication should be made by the son of

a king?

Ros. Take you me for a sponge, my lord?

Ham. Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's

countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But

such officers do the king best service in the end:

he keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his

jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed: when

he needs what you have gleaned, it is but

squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry

again.

Ros. I understand you not, my lord.

 13 replication: reply

17 countenance: favor

authorities: offices of authority

